The House Committee on Justice is planning to start its hearings on Vice President Sara Duterte's four impeachment complaints on Monday, March 2, panel chairperson Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro revealed.

Luistro spoke to House reporters in a chance interview Tuesday, Feb. 24--a day after the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President were officially initiated through plenary action.

"Nai-refer na sa justice committee ang apat na impeachment complaints against the Vice President (The four impeachment complaints against the Vice President have been referred to justice committee)," Luistro said in reference to the development in plenary Monday, Feb. 23.

"We are considering to start the deliberation of the justice committee on March 2, March 3, and March 4. That is Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, at least for the purpose of determining sufficiency, in form, and substance," she said.

"Of course, we cannot start this week as much as we wanted to take action right away sapagkat [because] the justice committee need to reproduce the complaints and provide copies to all the members of the justice committee," said the lawyer-solon.

Just a few weeks ago, the Luistro panel carried out the impeachment proceedings against President Marcos. However, this case didnt get past the determination of sufficiency in substance.

The Batangas lawmaker once again laid down the individual steps that the verified and endorsed impeachment complaints will go through as far as her committee was concerned.

"One is the determination of sufficiency in form. Two is the determination of sufficiency in substance," she said.

"Three, kung pasado sa form and substance (if they pass both form and substance), we will be issuing the notice to the respondent for her to file answer within the period of 10 calendar days," Luistro said, referring to Vice President Duterte.

"From the answer, the complainant has three calendar days to file reply. And from reply, the respondent has again three calendar days to file rejoinder," the panel chairperson said. Each of the four complaints have different complainants.

Once it is determined that the complaint has sufficient basis, the panel will proceed to the next step--the "hearing proper where we will be inviting the complainant, the witnesses, and even the respondent".

Asked if the four complaints against Duterte would be consolidated into one, Luistro answered: "As to the physical consolidation, that will happen only after we have determined the existence of probable cause."

Luistro guaranteed that the Vice President would "definitely be invited" to the proceedings.

"That's her right. That's part of right to due process. But as to whether she will come or otherwise, it is actually her prerogative," she said.

"Kung dadating siya (If she shows up), it means that she is exercising her right to due process. Otherwise, that only means that she is waiving her right to be present during the hearing," she added.